PSC warned for interference

The Smart-Gilas national basketball team has skipped a two-game exhibition series in Kuwait because of possible repercussions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIBA.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday coach Rajko Toroman’s squad went straight from Doha to Dubai and struck out Kuwait in its ongoing West Asia tour in deference to the IOC’s suspension of the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC).

Eala said he consulted FIBA before deciding whether or not to push through with the Kuwait games.

“FIBA confirmed that the KOC is suspended by the IOC and without clearly stating a position, told us to act accordingly,” said Eala.

Aware that the Philippines has been suspended thrice by FIBA in the past, Eala said he didn’t want to risk a touchy situation and cancelled the Kuwait series.

The IOC suspended the KOC for “alleged political interference by government” in Olympic affairs, effective last Jan. 1. Apparently, there is a law that allows the Kuwait government to be involved in elections of sports officials – contrary to Olympic principles. The IOC suspension bars Kuwait athletes and officials from participating in Olympic events, including meetings, conferences and competitions. As a result, Olympic funding for Kuwait has been totally cut.

A report from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne mentioned that the IOC had tried to resolve the political problem with the KOC since 2007 but as the law remains in force, the IOC was left with no other option.

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The suspension has caused former Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association president Victorico Chaves to raise an alarm warning Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping to be conscious of the implications of his pronouncements on taking an active role in selecting national athletes for the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November.

Chaves, a former Misamis Oriental congressman with an enviable track record of distinguished public service and integrity, said the IOC’s suspension of the KOC is an indication that there will be no pussy-footing when it comes to cracking down on government interference in sports.

Chaves said the prohibition on government intervention as stipulated in the IOC charter is “non-negotiable” and advised Angping to go easy on his public statements because the IOC may be listening.

Chaves said he was Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr.’s colleague in Congress for 11 years and their close relationship led him to inhibit himself from speaking out on the word war now raging between the POC and the PSC “lest I be accused of bias based on personal association rather than clear appreciation of the issues.”

But in view of the KOC’s suspension, Chaves said he could no longer stay quiet. He accused Angping of “prostituting” R. A. 6847, which he authored “in the pure intentions of the moving spirit of the sports community including three respected sports editors Gus Villanueva, Manolo Inigo and the late Rudy Navarro who helped conceptualize the PSC Law.”

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Chaves said Angping’s statements could lead to the POC’s suspension by the IOC.

“His recent pronouncements that the PSC will actively take part, even take the lead role, in the selection of national athletes for the Asian Games and their training are a clear desecration of IOC provisions and an affront to those of us who championed this piece of legislation,” said Chaves who recalled that when the bill was under discussion in Congress, then IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch was in town for a visit and precisely cautioned the POC on the subject of government intervention.

“We were reminded that the selection and training of athletes is the exclusive prerogative of the POC and the various National Sports Associations,” continued Chaves.

“Cognizant of this, Rep. Nading Fugoso of Manila conducted his interpellation with unrivalled passion and demanded all types of guarantees that the PSC shall not in any way interfere with the affairs of the POC and maintain merely visitorial powers to ensure the funds are spent for the purpose they are released. In other words, the PSC is but a disbursing officer and its primary duty is to spend the funds allotted to the agency as judiciously and transparently to the entire sporting community.”

Chaves said in batting for R. A. 6847, it was not his intent “to create a playground for appointees like chairman Angping and I consider it fair warning that the PSC should not toy with the emotions of our countrymen who find fulfillment and pride each time the national anthem is played on foreign soil, a privilege that would be lost if we are suspended by the IOC.”